The City of Brentwood provides opportunities for local artists to show their work to the public through the Public Art Walls located at the Brentwood Community Center and Brentwood Library.

There is no fee to exhibit artwork. Applicants must reside in Contra Costa County.

Applications for 2026 are due by 5pm on Friday, September 26, 2025.  Applications are being accepted for the walls at the Brentwood Community Center and the Brentwood Library at this time.

Locations

The Brentwood Community Center has three walls available for two-dimensional work of art located at 35 Oak Street.

The size of the three walls is as follows:

• 1st Floor Lobby Area: 32’W x 8’7”H (large wall).
• 8’W x 8’7”H (small wall) This portion is called the “Brentwood Wall”. We are encouraging artists to share work that reflects the lived experiences, histories, and community-centered stories of our local residents from diverse backgrounds.
• 1st Floor Hallway: 51’6” W x 10’H

• 2nd Floor Hallway: 68’W x 10’H (large wall); 15’10” W x 10’H (small wall)

Applicants must reside in Contra Costa County. All artwork must be 2D media that is framed and ready to hang on the wall, edges finished gallery wrapped.  For all artwork hung in the Exhibit it is required that the glass within the frames are to be plexiglass, no glass allowed.

Artwork that contains nudity that is obscene or offensive, or symbols which could be offensive, or any other offensive material cannot be accepted by the City of Brentwood. All decisions made by the City of Brentwood are final.

All entries must be completely ORIGINAL works of art; no copies, kits, commercial patterns or reproductions will be accepted.

Two-Dimensional Work – Work must be framed and securely wired (no sawtooth). The City will supply hooks and wires (33 pounds per test wire for one piece of art). The artist and/or organization will place artwork in designated areas determined by the City of Brentwood. Artwork must be labeled on the back with name, address and telephone number. No Three-Dimensional Work is allowed as all work must be hung on the art walls. Artists and/or organization may not remove their work from the show prior to the take down date. However, the City reserves the right to have the work removed in its sole discretion.

Liability

Artwork in City of Brentwood buildings is exhibited by the artist or local art organization releasing the City of Brentwood, its officers, employees, agents and volunteers from any claim, liability or cost arising out of injury, death, or property damage resulting from the display of artwork through the public art walls program, including but not limited to vandalism, fire, theft, earthquake, or any other cause, except for the City of Brentwood’s sole negligence or willful misconduct.

Terms of Exhibition

The Public Art Walls is an exhibition facility administered by the Parks and Recreation Department of the City of Brentwood (“City”).

1. The City will not insure property on location during the period of the exhibit. The insured amount will be the amount specified by the artist/organization on the face of the Exhibit Application/Release of Liability/Agreement. The City will only bear the risk of damage to or loss of the exhibited objects due to fire, earthquake, or flood while the objects are in the City’s possession. The City does not assume the risk of inherent vice. For purposes of insurance coverage, the City requires the artist/organization to value the works accurately according to works by the artist of similar size, style, medium, and if possible, based upon previous sales.
2. Works shall remain in the possession of the City for exhibition purposes during the time specified.
3. It is understood that the City may make photographs of the works mentioned in this agreement and reproduce those photographs for publicity, online viewing, catalogues, or other educational purposes and/or to record the conditions of such works.
4. Works must be picked up by artist/organization within five days of the closing of the exhibition for which they have been exhibited, unless specific arrangements have been agreed to by the City. Exhibitor will be notified by City staff if he or she fails to take down art works within the five-day time frame. Works not picked up within five days of the closing may be placed in storage at the exhibitor's risk and expense. Property exhibited in the public art wall program which is unclaimed within 30 days may become the property of the City and be destroyed.
5. An inventory of each piece of artwork including artists name, medium (oil, pastel, water, etc.), title, price (value) and location (where the piece is displayed) will be kept on file for each Public Art Walls exhibition at the offices of the Parks and Recreation Department. Artwork in the building is covered by a security alarm system when the building is closed to the public, but the City does not guarantee the safety of the artwork.
6. Artists must provide a 4 x 6 Wall Label (printed on cardstock to be put in plastic wall sign holders) for each piece of art submitted. Information needed on card is as follows: Title of the artwork; Name of the artist; Medium of the artwork; Price if you are wishing to sell; and contact phone number. Print shall be Cambria 14 point.

Selection Process

The exhibit review panel will consist of the members of Arts Commission who will review the applications at a Commission meeting. All applicants will receive an email with the meeting date and agenda. The meetings are open to the public and all applicants are encouraged to attend. The Commission will review all submissions and then make a recommendation to City Council.

Contact Information

Lindsay Pinell, Recreation Supervisor
(925) 516-5117
artscommission@brentwoodca.gov